Creating Our Own Lives

On Being Studios

+3 FANS

We’re called to create a better world, but what about the more immediate task of creating our own lives? Inspired by a quote of Thomas Merton, host Lily Percy asks people to think through how they shape their lives. And hopefully by listening, we lea...Show More

“The best laugh in the world, is laughing at things that are unhappy. And there's probably a certain level of that in Northern Ireland, a laughing-at-things-that-are-bad.”
Mark McCleary grew up in Northern Ireland during “The Troubles” — a 30-ye...Show More

“My mom has a very dark sense of humor. I think that’s how I learned how to recycle pain.”
Hari Kondabolu is not your average stand-up comedian. He has a Masters in Human Rights and worked as an immigrants rights organizer — all of which you hear in ...Show More

“I cannot tell you how many times laughter has connected me with all different kinds of people throughout the country, of all kinds of political persuasions.”
When politics and comedy mix they can become mean, sarcastic, and divisive. Reporter and NP...Show More

“Humor is always about ‘as if.’ And it just relaxes everybody. We’re going to laugh.”
Transparent creator Jill Soloway describes Amichai Lau-Lavie as “a God-optional, patriarchy-toppling, Jewish modern mind.” He uses humor to connect — to himself and...Show More

“What makes humor is pattern recognition. Finance is very helpful on that front because there are a lot of patterns that keep repeating themselves.”
Heidi N. Moore uses humor as a tool for understanding the world of finance. She tells stories about t...Show More

“Humor reminds me a lot of magic, in that there’s no way to quite replicate it. There’s a power to that”
The humor in Daniel José Older’s writing makes his characters come alive. Whether in the playful banter of books like Shadowshaper, in his spirit...Show More

“Humor gives me release. Sometimes there’s just too much tension and you have to let it go. Laughter is such a great natural physical response to do that.”
Humor has been a tool for success for Alexis Wilkinson, and not just a tool for survival. She ...Show More

“Humor establishes new ground for parents and kids to relate on that isn’t just parent-kid.”
For Maureen Craig, humor is central to how she understands and relates to her family. As a parent, a wife, a daughter, and a brand strategy executive, she be...Show More

“I use humor as a way to let our community know that we’re not invisible, at least not to us.”
Chicano cartoonist and writer Lalo Alcaraz explores his dual identity by creating characters and places where he can be seen. He’s known as a writer for th...Show More

“When you are helpless with true laughter, it’s like orgasm. Your body gets taken over. If it didn’t feel so good, you’d think there was something wrong.”
Sex scientist, researcher, and romance novelist Emily Nagoski sees humor as a way to understand...Show More

“When everything feels horrible, what tiny detail can we seize on and laugh about.”
Writer Lindy West talks about being fat and being a feminist with an honesty and vulnerability infused with humor. Titles of her essays and books — “My wedding was pe...Show More

“The real Book of Mormon is on my shelf, and next to it, the Book of Mormon Musical. And I’m spiritually enriched by both.”
Ask anyone who isn’t a Mormon what they know about the faith — chances are, they’ll cite something they learned from South Par...Show More

“The best expression of humor is something that comes out of suffering and comes out of a sense of alienation.”
Margaret Cho opens difficult conversations about rape, abuse, addiction, failure, and anger through her work as a comedian and writer. Ang...Show More

“Humor is a tool for inclusion and for making everyone realize: we’re all together on this.”
Jonny Sun has formed a devoted community of almost half a million followers on Twitter — tweeting through his alter ego, a lonely alien who views the world a...Show More

Humor as a tool for survival. That’s the theme of our second season of Creating Our Own Lives. Host Lily Percy speaks with 15 different voices on the surprising ways humor shapes them and brings meaning to their lives. Including insights from writers...Show More

“When I’m running, I’m in my body, with all of its limitations but with all of its capabilities at the same time.” Mike Stavlund is the author of “A Force of Will” a memoir about the death of his 4-month-old son.

“When I’m running, I feel like I’m actively expressing gratitude.” Sarah Khasawinah works in the Senate to improve policies for older Americans. Her work requires focus and discipline, something that she also finds in her spiritual practice of runnin...Show More

“I began to notice that my running life and my meditating life were beginning to merge.” Roger Joslin is an Episcopal priest and the author of “Running the Spiritual Path,” a how-to guide on running as meditation and prayer.

“My love for running started with me running towards my mom.” Mallary Tenore’s mother, Robin Jo, introduced her to one of the defining practices in her life: running — which has been equal parts destructive, spiritual, and healing.

“Running challenges people to see me from a different perspective.” In Sikhism there is a duty to “hone the spiritual body in the same way that we hone our spiritual selves.” Simran Jeet Singh holds that in his practice as a runner.

“I cannot even begin to push myself to the extent that God can help me to push myself.” Christy Marvin is the mother of three boys and a mountain runner. She’s won six different Alaska mountain races. For Christy, running is a spiritual practice.

“You’re running often side-by-side, or one person in back of the other, rather than looking somebody in the eyes as you’re being vulnerable with them.” John Cary is an architect, a father, and a marathon runner. For him, running is a spiritual practi...Show More

“Running has helped me become more present.” Some people turn to prayer or meditation or yoga as a way to slow down and make sense of their lives. Ashley Hicks, the co-founder of Black Girls Run!, found that in running.

“What else have I been lying to myself about? What else have I been hiding from ’cause I was scared?” Teacher, writer, and Mexipina Christina Torres on how running helps her deal with anxiety, body image, and understanding her deepest sense of self.

“The number one objective of my Olympic pursuit was to heal a broken soul.” Gold medalist Billy Mills set a world record in the 10,000-meter race at the 1964 Games. He shares how running created a refuge for spirituality and personal growth.